fatchap Posted January 27, 2021 Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 (edited) More internet rumours on a few Facebook pages that Cabella's are looking at opening a UK outlet. People who start these rumours should do a bit of research before they get typing. Cabella's was bought out a few years ago by rival Bass Pro and they have closed most of the Cabella stores and amalgamated them into the Bass Pro shops. A few years ago I emailed Cabella to ask them if they where going to open a UK outlet and finally got a reply saying they had NO plans to open a UK store. Bass Pro replied likewise. I would love a Bass Pro or similar set up to open in the UK. My credit card would be dead in minutes and lets be honest for a hunting/fishing minded person, you are talking a day out in there, I doubt a Bass Pro would survive here honestly. While we enjoy our shooting and fishing etc and there is a market for it, its a bit different over the water. I think the closest we have to Bass Pro is Glasgow Angling, been there a few times when I was in the area couriering plenty to look at and buy, but being in Essex its a bit of trot. There is always the internet Bass Pro sell on evil bay but I doubt it beats a walk round of a shop 3 floors high packed to the rafters with toys. Lets be honest here this is shopping..... Edited January 27, 2021 by fatchap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powler Posted January 27, 2021 Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 Wow looks like a all year long Santas grotto,I bet I could melt the wifes credit card in there 😀 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellors Posted January 27, 2021 Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 Last time was over there I was gob smacked. Just like walking in bq but full of everything you could possibly need hunting shooting and fishing. Amazing places but no so good now there's a big ammo shortage. There queuing every morning and clearing the shelves and there prices have doubled . Apparently they have people posting on the web after following deliveries telling them which stores have received stock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamch Posted January 27, 2021 Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 A real shame a Cabela/Nass Pro would be good and maybe get prices down. All my local tackle shops have gone, nearest is 25 miles away so most shopping is done on line. Similarly we last a good working gunsmith and well stocked gunshop. Sadly thanks to the EU and the stupid GDPR Cabelas no longer ship to Europe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackbird Posted January 27, 2021 Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 (edited) If you have not been to a Bass Pro store it should be placed on the top of your bucket list. Edited January 27, 2021 by blackbird Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DUNKS Posted January 27, 2021 Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 Uk is definitely not ready for these stores. I visited both which are a short ride from our daughters home in Canada. Took us a full day to have a very quick look round both. Only thing I would have bought was clothing but it all seemed to be aimed at the Canadian winters and far too heavy for Uk use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatchap Posted January 27, 2021 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 It is like a B&Q for outdoor pursuits. Them Bow's in the second from last pic. I would just stand there dribbling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellors Posted January 27, 2021 Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 7 minutes ago, DUNKS said: Uk is definitely not ready for these stores. I visited both which are a short ride from our daughters home in Canada. Took us a full day to have a very quick look round both. Only thing I would have bought was clothing but it all seemed to be aimed at the Canadian winters and far too heavy for Uk use. Now here's a thought. They could take over all the empty Debenham stores. Don't it would go down to well though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
udderlyoffroad Posted January 27, 2021 Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 15 minutes ago, fatchap said: would love a Bass Pro or similar set up to open in the UK. My credit card would be dead in minutes and lets be honest for a hunting/fishing minded person, you are talking a day out in there, About this time last year, I went to the Phoenix Cabela's. It's huge, spread over a couple of floors, café in it, the whole works. Boats being sold in the parking lot outside. Clearly it was a bit of a 'destination' place, as there seemed to be lots of people in there... There was some good gear in there, and some so-so stuff, and doubtless the sale rail will have some 'bargoons' on occasion. I came out with a few bits and pieces, some dog-toys as a present for our hosts, a plastic 'ammo tin', a clay wanger etc... As for actual guns, well of the shotguns I saw and recognised, it seemed to be pretty much a dollar-for-pound conversion. Don't have enough knowledge of rifles to even make that comparison, but doubtless you could 'get sorted' for a lot less money than in the UK. But the thing I'd rather have over here is the state of Arizona's approach to licencing - i.e. Pretty much the same as the UK's (relevant medical conditions/mental health issues and criminal activity bar you from ownership), but it takes a few minutes at the dealers, not months! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strimmer_13 Posted January 27, 2021 Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 It would kill every gunshop within 50 miles of it. Dont get me wrong, I'm dribbling at the thought, but with these small shops comes some smiths that a big place like that might not have (I've no idea). Anybody can sell a gun but there's not many left who can fix one, and if they don't get footfall through the door.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bavarianbrit Posted January 27, 2021 Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 I have been to Bass and Cabela's many times over the years even to the original Cabela's in Sidney Nebraska, but my impression of late is of young sales staff with little deep knowledge of the products and compared to 1994 on my first visit far too much Chinese tat being sold. Sidney is still suffering from the loss of the sporting goods retailer Cabela’s, which kept its headquarters in Sidney until it merged with Bass Pro Shops in 2017. The town’s mayor, Roger Galloway, told Tucker Carlson that the merger cost Sidney 2,000 jobs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellors Posted January 27, 2021 Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 6 minutes ago, strimmer_13 said: It would kill every gunshop within 50 miles of it. Dont get me wrong, I'm dribbling at the thought, but with these small shops comes some smiths that a big place like that might not have (I've no idea). Anybody can sell a gun but there's not many left who can fix one, and if they don't get footfall through the door.... I agree totally it'll never happen anyway. One of the biggest killers of gun shops has been the online cartridge sales and clothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DUNKS Posted January 27, 2021 Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 Dont know about gun smithing. Did not ask. I would be very surprised if they did not have a department. Sales staff were very knowledgeable. We had quite a long conversation with a 20s something trainee sales person and she had been out in the woods with her dad and gramps hunting since she was a toddler. really knew her stuff from practical experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatcatsplat Posted January 27, 2021 Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 A veritable wonderland where you can buy a complete set of bedding, in all sizes, in 4 forms of camo and get matching bathroom sets! I've got loads of their T shirts - Dirt cheap and last a lifetime. Their outdoor cooking section is also very much to die for Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted January 27, 2021 Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 (edited) Yes it was a disaster when they merged. I also have used both shops many times and always found the staff at Cabela's just that bit more helpful. I still have a lot of clothing from them and it just lasts and lasts, the cloth has to give way before the stitching goes or buttons fall off. My credit card does not miss our visits I can tell you. Took a friend to the one in Buda, Texas once and they said they really did not need anyhting but would have a look around. We arranged to meet by The Mountain and eventually we saw two carts appear at the top of the main isle but could not see who was puching them. Guess who. Good job I had booked a large people carrier at the car hire. The firm did try to set up in Europe but it fizzled out and now they don't ship either. We just do not have the footfall to support such shops. Edited January 27, 2021 by Walker570 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonepark Posted January 27, 2021 Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 16 minutes ago, mellors said: I agree totally it'll never happen anyway. One of the biggest killers of gun shops has been the online cartridge sales and clothing. Online hasn't helped but the traditional shops were dying before that, mostly through obsolescence. One local fishing\shooting shop which closed last year was still in the 40's\50's when it came to stock, display and provisions, though if you wanted something specific they would order it but you had to wait. GAC and Stirling AC like mini Bass Pro shops both are in portal frame construction (room to move and browse) with large stocks and importantly have new fangled things in stock for you to peruse and buy there and then without having wait for it to arrive and hence are successful in retaining customers and sales. Malmo's (whom I bought from, both before and after it was bought by the Prests) went from a converted garage operation to a Barn conversion and were (and still are) prepared to bend over backwards to help or get what you want, concentrating on the largest selection of cartridges (before Just Cartridges took off) and a good amount of well displayed guns whilst still having a decent selection of clothes and kit. Happy customers = Thriving business If you don't keep your customers happy you don't have a business...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Mat Posted January 27, 2021 Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 I'd settle for them starting to ship stuff to the UK again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigbob Posted January 27, 2021 Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 I went to the one in Florida dumped all my clothes and filled the suitcase with stuff i bought out the store , One the plane home i bet i was the only one wearing 12 inch camo boots . The saddle cloth camo gear was so much cheaper there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DUNKS Posted January 27, 2021 Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 All I bought was a camo cotton heavy weight shirt. Great quality but made in China. I have never worn it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackbird Posted January 27, 2021 Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 (edited) If Bass Pro did ( but I think it would be unlikely) open up a few outlets in this country it would be the kiss of death to many many gun shops in the UK. Edited January 27, 2021 by blackbird Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted January 27, 2021 Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 That was one of the pleasures of going to Texas twice a year. Large half empty suitcase outward journey. Full suitcase and as big a carryon as allowed flying back. On occasions a large suitcase for my wife as well because they did some excellent ladies country gear as well. In fact she had on one of the cardigans she purchased back in the '90s today and it looked like new having been brought out for all winters intervening. Their clothing quality was always top hole and different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatcatsplat Posted January 27, 2021 Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 45 minutes ago, Bigbob said: I went to the one in Florida dumped all my clothes and filled the suitcase with stuff i bought out the store , One the plane home i bet i was the only one wearing 12 inch camo boots . The saddle cloth camo gear was so much cheaper there 30 minutes ago, Walker570 said: That was one of the pleasures of going to Texas twice a year. Large half empty suitcase outward journey. Full suitcase and as big a carryon as allowed flying back. On occasions a large suitcase for my wife as well because they did some excellent ladies country gear as well. In fact she had on one of the cardigans she purchased back in the '90s today and it looked like new having been brought out for all winters intervening. Their clothing quality was always top hole and different. There's a reason why they sell ordinary luggage in there!!! Word of warning though - If you go to the US, don't buy barbecue rub. I bought 2 large jars of dry rub and got pulled over at check in at Charleston, JFK and Gatwick!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted January 27, 2021 Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 (edited) Fantastic places, like dying and going to heaven when you walked through the door Edited January 27, 2021 by Vince Green Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted January 27, 2021 Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 34 minutes ago, Vince Green said: Fantastic places, like dying and going to heaven when you walked through the door I have taken friends there and I have had to close their mouths when they first walk in. In fact just arriving in the 100 acre car parks gets them wound up with a huge show of sea going craft displayed outside and those fantastic bronze sculptures at each store, all different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted January 27, 2021 Report Share Posted January 27, 2021 (edited) Cabela's was a great shop and it's a shame Cabellas couldn't have bought out bass Pro. The Cabellas own makes if products the clothing was great quality and prices. As for the UK a couple of Bass Pro shops could make a go of it, so long as they sold fishing gear and camping outdoor stuff. Mail order internet sales would be great. Edited January 27, 2021 by figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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